Category Archives: Agni ad Bellum/ The Lamb’s War

The Spooks Vs. The Brass: Will This Duel Stop Haspel’s Rise?

the generals flatly reject the excuses & assurances by Brennan and the spymasters:

We understand that some well-respected former senior government intelligence officials have spoken highly of Ms. Haspel’s experience and long record of service to the Agency. However, we do not accept efforts to excuse her actions relating to torture and other unlawful abuse of detainees by offering that she was “just following orders,” or that shock from the 9/11 terrorist attacks should excuse illegal and unethical conduct. We did not accept the “just following orders” justification after World War II, and we should not accept it now. Waterboarding and other forms of torture or cruel and inhuman treatment are—and always have been—clearly unlawful. Individuals in the service of our country, even at the lowest levels, have a duty to refuse to carry out such actions.”

Urgent – Act to Stop Torturer Gina Haspel

Yes, torture IS already a crime. A federal felony. We don’t need Congress to pass new laws about that. Just enforce the laws already on the books. And one big step toward such accountability would be to stop the Haspel nomination.

Time is short for action to stop Haspel’s ascent. A hearing on her nomination is slated for early May.

Is “Christian Democracy” Possible in the U.S.?

As George W Bush’s former speechwriter Michael Gerson notes in the Atlantic’s latest cover piece: “One of the most extraordinary things about current politics … is the loyal adherence of religious conservatives to Donald Trump.” It’s so extraordinary, in fact, that it is hard to imagine Christian voters remaining loyal to Trump if faced with a better alternative.

Well, maybe. BUT finding “a better alternative” won’t be easy.

Still, there’s plenty of wisdom here. American evangelical Christianity COULD in theory find an alternative to the current regime, which mocks almost every aspect of its core. But I see four BIG hazards that will need to be overcome on the way there:

For King Day: Selma, Alabama — Protecting King, Protecting Obama

The Secret Service has to secure similar events every week, sometimes every day. So maybe this was a piece of cake for them. Compared to their skill, our mornings walks near Dr. King now seem utterly, almost comically amateurish.

But even so, somehow we came through it. Dr. King wasn’t called on to preach at our funerals. Instead, we lasted long enough to hear others preaching at his.